Colo. college students can keep guns on campus

In Colorado, where two of the most horrific gun crimes in recent history have taken place, universities in two cities are allowing students to have guns on campus.

The University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs are segregating on-campus students age 21 and over who have valid concealed-weapons carry permits into their own residential area, according to the Denver Post.

On Thursday officials said both campuses will have a residential area for legal-age students with permits. In all other dormitories, guns will be banned, the new policy states, the Post reported.

The policy announced Thursday is in response to a March Colorado Supreme Court ruling that said CU can’t ban permit holders from bringing guns to campus.

The university also said graduate students who live in university housing off the main campus will be able to have guns in their apartments if they’re kept in a safe.

Chancellor Phillip DiStefano said the policy is a reasonable way to adhere to the court’s ruling and protect students, faculty and staff.

At least 96 percent of undergraduate students who live in dorms are under 21 and can’t legally possess a concealed carry permit, the Post reported.

Guns will not be allowed at athletic and cultural events.

Two mass shootings have taken place in recent history in Colorado.

At a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., on July 20, 2012, a gunman dressed in tactical clothing shot into an audience at a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises, killing 12 people and injuring 58 others. The suspect is James Eagan Holmes, who was arrested minutes after the attack.

In Jefferson County, Colo., on April 20, 1999, two Columbine High School students embarked on a shooting spree that left 12 students and a teacher dead, and 21 other students injured. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold committed suicide after the massacre.